The Apostasy

by Allison Paige

The highly anticipated prequel the Revelation series, The Apostasy is a lush dark romance full of rich lore and deadly entanglements. Ezra's story shows us the power of love and faith and the challenges one must face when holding fast to them.

Ezra Hollen has felt death’s presence her entire life. But, when it comes to her in the form of an angel, she refuses to go down without a fight. It’s not until her scream calls to something darker that she realizes there are things worse than death. And her rescuer is not exactly a savior, as he takes her to the depths of Tartarus. There Ezra learns the truth of who she really is and why she has been targeted.

Valen is an amorini, a hunter, a fallen angel. When Ezra’s scream wrenches him into the mortal world, he is struck by the force of her power no mortal, much less a woman, should be able to wield. A power so dangerous, it just might be what Tartarus needs to force Heaven’s hand. Torn between using her as a weapon and keeping her safe from harm, Valen must weigh the value of Ezra’s life.

As the costs against Ezra rise, she discovers that sometimes the line between good and evil is cut from the same cloth. And, without Valen, there will be no stop to the war and bloodshed that lays on the horizon.

Genres: Fantasy, Dark Romance, Ebooks

771 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2025

About the author

Allison Paige’s dark fantasy novels are inspired by her nightmares and dreams. Her stories shed light on villains and the darker side of what it takes to make a hero.

Her debut novel After the Bees was derived from the important message that without bees we have no future. This inspired the continuance of Raum and Leah's story that has now become the Revelation Trilogy where each book has an underlying environmental message.

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Allison Paige loves traveling with her camera, particularly in the Irish countryside, and has several ongoing projects that she writes out of her home in Charleston, South Carolina with her corgi. She fills her spare time working with animals of all types and is a fervent advocate of bee, ocean, and wildlife conservation.

Reviews

[abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!!!!!! THIS BOOK !!!!!!!!

What a way to start the year. I need everyone to add this to their 2025 tbr right now. This book was so well written, every aspect of it was so strong. I’ll be thinking about this book for the next week (at least.)

This was a 737 page book that I absolutely ATE up in 2 days. Ezra is a strong, beautiful FMC that you will adore reading through the eyes of. Valen is a MMC you’ll never want to say goodbye to. Their story was intimate, messy and so well rounded. I loved each side character, and loved to hate the villains. I liked that we got the story mostly through Ezra’s POV, but had some chapters that were from others. It was just enough that it felt like you got every side of the plots, but not so much that you got whiplash. To see the side of the ‘fallen’ angels, condemned to Hell is so interesting and to get morally grey (more like black) cupids creates this masterpiece of a story. I will be wilting away until we get book 2😂🏹

PS- although reading the Revelation book series is not needed to grasp the entirety of this story, I absolutely recommend it. As you get some little insights of that story, especially a later chapter that had me tearing up🥹

[Kendall Daybell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’ALL!!!!!!!!! What a work of art! After reading Allison Paige’s first two works, I knew that this was going to be good but I she absolutely blew this out of the water!! The world building and character development for both FMC & MMC is incredible. Seeing some character tie-ins from her previous work was exciting because we all love our morally black Raum. Ezra is a total badass and I can’t see what she takes on next!

[Hailee Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting 2025 with “The Apostasy” by Allison Paige was like setting off fireworks on New Year’s Day—explosive, breathtaking, and leaving me in awe of what just happened. This book wasn’t just a read; it was an experience. Meeting Ezra was like finding a new best friend, one who happens to be a total badass navigating a story so rich and vivid that I felt like I was running alongside her. And let’s talk about Valen—oh, Valen. Sorry, not sorry.

Allison Paige doesn’t just write books; she crafts emotional rollercoasters that you willingly strap into, knowing full well you’ll be screaming, crying, and laughing by the end. Seeing characters from The Revelation series pop up and learning more about them was the ultimate cherry on top. Don’t even get me started on Raum—everything I thought I knew just got flipped upside down, and now I have to go back and reread the Revelation series to connect all the dots.

The ending of The Apostasy? Let’s just say I experienced all the emotions. All of them. Paige’s descriptive writing doesn’t just paint a picture; it pulls you into the world and makes you forget that you’re sitting on your couch in sweatpants (or was that just me?). I lived this journey with Ezra, and now I’m stuck in the kind of book hangover that makes you stare at your bookshelf with existential dread, knowing nothing else will compare for a while.

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. Like, give me a galaxy of stars, and I’d hand it all over to Allison Paige with a standing ovation. Thank you, Allison, for blessing us with your writing talent. Until your next book arrives (impatiently waiting), I’ll be over here rereading The Revelation series, trying to piece my heart back together. Cheers to you and to starting 2025 with a masterpiece.

[Lisa Villarreal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demons? Why hell yes, please.

This book is everything you'd want if you wanted a book about angels and demons. It's not a typical lala story about angels. It's dark and twisted. Allison Paige is an incredible storyteller, and her writing is clever and dynamic.

Just like with her, After The Bees duology, The Apostasy is a compelling story that unfolds with marvelous pacing and nail-biting tension. I love it. I love the dual POV (and a few spare POVs too). I love the characters and their growth within their emotional entanglements. It's funny, but every book I've read from Allison feels like it could be a movie. The stories are so captivating. And that's saying something because the books will always be better. I look forward to reading more from Allison Paige. This was an easy must-read after reading After The Bees. I'm a huge fan.

Expect spice that spices and a twisted but possessive MMC and a fierce MFC.

You don't need to read After The Bees to enjoy this one, but I'd recommend it because it's also really good. I also really enjoyed that you get over 700 pages in this world and it's all great. I couldn't put it down and devoured it in 2 days. It's an emotional one with dark themes. And that ending. Argh. There is nothing like this. 1000% recommend.

[Katherine Shanafelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first two books, this is everything I could have wanted in a prequel! It does an amazing job of unraveling the events that lead up to After the Bees. It also reveals just enough of the inner workings of Heaven and Hell while leaving you wanting more. I'm excited to see where the story leads us in the future, and I can't wait for what I can only hope will be an exhilarating combination of the the two storylines!

[Hanna Nolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great second book of the year!
I was absolutely privileged to be an ARC reader and it was 100000% worth it.
Allison takes dark and twisted to a whole new level. It’s captivating, it’s gory, it’s enthralling.

It’s a MUST read for anyone that loves gods, demons, angels, and everything in between.

[Heather August · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew my mind! I could not put it down! The world she creates is phenomenal and the spicy scenes are to die for! It ends on such a heart wrenching cliffhanger, I literally cannot wait for her next book! It was utter emotional whiplash and I loved every moment of it.

[Megz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy everything! You guys. I know sometimes when people say they were not able to put a book down, you kinda say to yourself, "yeah okay, I'll be the judge of that...", but I am here to tell you. I. ATE. THIS. BOOK. UP.
This book is legitimately everything you could hope for. The characters are beautiful and flawed and FIERCE. The world building and the descriptives in this book were superb. Honestly ::chef's kiss::
The story line hooks you straight from the get-go, and then you're off to the races for the duration. I mean it when I say I was furiously flipping through this book to know what happened next for the characters.
It's been a while since I've gotten to the end of a book and had to set it down, take a step back, and release a breath I had no idea I was holding. This was that book.
10 million percent, this book needs to be in your immediate TBR lists. Like, bump it all the way to the top of your list and read it first. You won't regret it.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She was stronger than everyone in the room. The sooner she found that out, the more dangerous she would become.”🏹

What to Expect:
🦋 Fallen Angels & Demons
🦋 Feminine Rage
🦋 Enemies to Lovers
🦋 touch HIM & 💀
🦋 Prophecy
🦋 War & Gøre
🦋 Secrets, Lies, & Betrayal
🦋 Lust vs Love

Hero rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Heroine rating: 5/5 ⭐️
S£xual tension rating: 4⭐️
Spicy scenes rating: 4.5⭐️
Spicy scenes frequency: 3.5-4⭐️
Plot rating: 5⭐️
*******************************
Overall rating: 5⭐️

Writing this immediately after finishing it and I don’t even know how I’m typing because I’m so flabbergasted, shocked, and amazed by this book.

I am not typically a fantasy reader, so the book has to be REALLY good to not only get me to read it but hold my attention and WOW did this book do the job 😩

This was my first true feminine rage book and I now understand the hype because this was insane.

While this is book 3 in the series, it’s the first we are seeing of Ezra. I’m actually obsessed with books 1 & 2 so I went into this with high hopes and was NOT disappointed.

Ezra is thrown into a world against her will and has to follow a whole new set of rules thrust upon her while trying to survive and deal with her insane attraction a Fallen Angel.

“Not a soul will touch you unless you will it. And if anyone ever does, I will wipe them from existence.”

There’s so many HOT scenes in this I mean they’re lusty demons so of course there are but it doesn’t overshadow the story. It just makes it better 🔥

“I love that,” he said hoarsely. “I always knew you were a little sinner. Look at the mess you’re making all over my hand.”🥵🥵🥵

This story is so well paced, there’s diverse characters, lots of perfectly placed and ungodly hot spice, as well as an insane plot, with twists and turns.

If a book can make you physically gasp and drop your kindle a couple of times towards the end you KNOW it’s good.

There are true evil characters in this book and truly evil acts, some of it is shocking but the descriptions really pull you in. I now have so many more questions I want to go back and read book 1 & 2 to see what I’ve missed. 👀

The complex relationships between so many characters made this such an interesting read. I truly have a vision in my mind of this world and felt like I was watching a movie.

Cannot wait for the next one!!! 👏🏻

Smut Included:
🖤 Multiple O’s💦
🖤 MF/MM/MFM/MFF scenes
🖤 Public Play
🖤 Chasing

🦋HUGE thank you to the author for the ARC. As always, read responsibly and check Trigger Warnings🦋

Happy reading sweet friends🔥

[Alina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very underwhelming
The plot twist about the fall was not original it was very predictable
There was no female rage in this book, just Ezra being jealous and petty 70% of the book, " ih Valen is with a woman, Valen is making out with someone else, why doesnt Valen love me, oh why oh why " blah bla blah

The characters were so bland, i was so excited to read about the GLORIOUS fmc Ezra and the amazing selfless mmc Valen but they fell soooo flat, all Valen did was whine, annoy Ezra then act like a little bitch with bishop
Ezra acted like a true YA heroin ( except it's not YA), she was soo clueless and everyone so easily bossed her around, she was all bark no bite and all she did was act like a brat

This is supposed to be a BADASS powerfull woman yet her entire personality was revolved around Valen and his motives and his hot and cold dominer towards her.

This is why i hate when authors bring contemporary romance tropes into fantasy like " cheating " and owd and jealousy because it will 100% of the time weaken the fmc's personality and make her just a love sick puppy needing attention which was exactly what was done to Ezra

She also spent ALOT of time crying, GIRL PULL YOURSELF UP WHERE IS THE SUPPOSED RAGE????
The only time she was actually angry was when Valen told her his story and how he was hurt, but that's not female rage that's just protectiveness
Too many characters that were unncessary

Bishop the villain, who rapes, assault, tortures and kills people has more complexity than then the main characters.

Safety :
Implied cheating and major owd and omd
Valen "had" to hook up with other women. And most times it was rubbed infront of Ezra's face for her " protection " so the big bad guy doesn't know they're bonded aka the same old im cheating to protect you trope.
His plan was ABSURD when he could have easily told her the plan from the start and avoid alot of fuck ups.
He says later on that what he did with the women was only what she saw which was, making out, neck kissing, grinding, forplay...etc if he actually fucked them or got fucked by someone it was not mentioned.

Ezra tried to hook up with the villain but she was stopped by one of the secondary characters. Also Valen always cockblocked her while he made sure to put on a show with women infront of her which was hypocritical from the author

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into The Apostasy expecting a strong prequel to the Revelation series but what I got was so much more. This book is a beautifully written, emotionally devastating, and utterly consuming dark romance that grabs you by the soul and doesn’t let go.

From the opening pages, Ezra Hollen’s voice captivated me. She’s such a vivid, layered heroine fragile yet fierce, questioning yet unwavering when it matters most. The author does an incredible job of making her pain, confusion, and growth feel real. You can feel the weight of every choice she makes, especially when it comes to Valen. Their relationship is not simple it’s complicated, dangerous, and completely addicting.

Valen, the fallen angel, is the perfect kind of tortured male lead. He’s powerful and haunted, both protector and destroyer, and his internal conflict gives the romance its aching depth. Every scene between Ezra and Valen thrums with tension not just romantic, but spiritual and moral. You can feel their connection building toward something massive and inevitable, even when it’s doomed to hurt.

The world-building here is phenomenal. The descent into Tartarus is dark, immersive, and dripping with atmosphere. You can almost taste the ash and hear the echoes of the damned. The author balances mythology, theology, and fantasy so seamlessly that it never feels forced just breathtakingly rich. The lore expands on everything we learned in the Revelation series but stands perfectly on its own.

What really stuck with me, though, was the underlying message: that love and faith are both acts of rebellion. Ezra’s journey becomes a metaphor for what it means to hold onto hope when the world tells you it’s foolish. The line between good and evil blurs constantly, forcing both characters and the reader to question everything they believe.

The prose is lush and lyrical without ever being overdone. Every sentence feels intentional, building toward this sense of haunting inevitability. And when the emotional moments hit, they hit. There were a few scenes that left me sitting in silence afterward, just absorbing what I’d read.

In short, The Apostasy is a stunning achievement dark, passionate, and full of heart. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after the last page. Fans of dark fantasy, gothic romance, and stories about love that defies Heaven and Hell this book was written for you.

[Off Service Book Recs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Allison Paige for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title! I will be suing!

Ezra Hollen has lived her entire life in the shadow of death, watching helplessly as those closest to her die one by one. Alone at last, death finally comes for her in the form of an angel - but Ezra is not ready to let go of life just yet. When her scream brings down a savior upon her, however, Ezra learns that there are fates worse than death, as she is dragged to Tartarus and the dark prophecy she is foretold to fulfill - willing or not. Ezra's savior, Valen, the fallen angel and hunter known as an amorini, believes that the dangerous existence of Ezra - a woman choked with power, never before seen even in the cruel and mysterious pits of Tartarus - may be the key to turning the tides of their war with Heaven. Together, Ezra and Valen must walk the line between good and evil and the currents of blood that run through them to stop (or bring forth?) the war looming on the horizon.

If you weren't emotionally damaged enough by the Revelations series, then boy do I have some good new for you! "The Apostasy", the lush, dark, intoxicating, and deadly prequel to Leah's hell in Montana drags us to the pits of Tartarus to see where it all went wrong before the bees disappeared on Earth. If you've been a fan of, or would like to be a fan of, reading the TRIGGER WARNINGS, pretty angel and demon boys, supporting women's' rights and wrongs, hide and seek, "if bad guy then why hot" but it's basically everyone, prophecy, having your tender heart put in a blender, knowing bad things are coming but letting it happen because it's a canon event, the power of friendship (???), fate being a fickle thing, Valentine's vibes but make them tragic, and being left broken and dangling on a cliffhanger, then I recommend you stock up on the post-V-day chocolate sales and get ready to call a personal injury attorney against Allison Paige because she's got you covered and she's going to rip your heart out.

[Lacey Kintz · Rating 4 out of 5]

👏🏻 I 👏🏻 LOVE 👏🏻 NAMED 👏🏻 CHAPTERS 👏🏻
and this book has seventy-three of them.

it's a lot but.. it's so good.

This book is so well written and I guarantee that you will never get bored as you vacillate between excitement, terror, anguish, lust, and denial.

Ezra, our FMC, is a very likable character with steadfast, very human morals. The story she shares with Valen, our MMC, is toxic at times but rooted in something that I couldn’t help but root for. You know who I just couldn’t get behind? RAUM.

I hadn’t read any of the author’s other books but when we get the first sex scene with him as the main focus instead of our main couple I was so confused. There was really no point to it so I assumed that it was a little bit of fan-service on behalf of a well-loved character who was far too villainous for me to even remotely enjoy in The Apostasy.

I LOVED the world that this series is set in. The concepts are so good and feel excitingly new. I don’t think I can think of another book that was so unique in its crafting of lore. The inspiration drawn from biblically accurate angels, cupids, and the Hells is perfection. I cannot give enough praise for the world development and all of its incredible intricacies.

This book was an emotional roller coaster that had me in the trenches with Ezra. This poor woman is stuck between a rock and a hard place more often than any other. I couldn’t help but to cry a little for her. The female rage is real with this one.

I cannot wait to read the next installment – though I am praying that a certain someone gets taken care of real early on. 😈👊🏻

Him coming out on top at the end really hurts my whole soul.

I am so grateful for the chance to read this as an ARC. It was really something I couldn’t put down until the very end.

[Christina (Bloodycrimsonreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

•ARC review•
Release date: February 14th
Book 1 of the Hymn of the Sun and the Moon

The Apostasy is a thiiiick book. It’s full of intricately woven world building and although there’s undeniably some romance, it’s not at the forefront per se, the plot takes a lot of space which is welcome. Simultaneously, the theme of love is definitely what The Apostasy is about: fighting for it, fighting for what is right. To also find ourselves. There’s simmering, feminine rage. Hurtful wounds and desperate times. Believe me when I say that it’s full of twists and turns and the ending left me on the edge of my seat. The characters are mostly morally grey and should I say untrustworthy, so the entirety of the book was spent walking on eggshells.

I immensely enjoy the world that Allison has created with the Revelation series and this one; it’s ominous, cruel. Especially when The Murder and Baal were thrown into the game. I appreciate the duality of righteous Ezra and then… them all. Being a thick book, as I said before, it can be difficult sometimes to stay invested because of the change of space or the filler bits, but it wasn’t the case with The Apostasy, it’s very well done. The hard work of Allison paid off.

I cannot wait for the second book to come out already, I won’t say more other than it ends on a note where you WANT to know what’s next.

Thank you so much to Allison for the arc! I greatly enjoyed your baby.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 /5
🌶️🌶️/5


☀️Multi pov
🌙Horror vibes
☀️Angels&demons
🌙Feminine rage
☀️Dark romance
🌙Morally grey
☀️Uneasiness

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am thrilled that after 18 years of writing I can now present THE APOSTASY. Originally titled MY VALENTINE, this story has wrapped around my heart and tormented my mind with such intensity I truly never thought I'd finish it. This is the one that started it all, despite my other series, Revelation, being published first. It is thanks to Revelation that I was able to complete THE APOSTASY as they are now directly related.

In THE APOSTASY you will find:
- A fantastical dark world of angels, demons, and jarring new creatures
- Murderous cupids
- A morally grey AND black cast
- A romance that I hope haunts you as it has me all of these years
- Greek and Biblical themes
- A powerful woman with a weaponized scream who is full of rage
- Beautiful imagery, delicious spice, and loads of action

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have writing it. I can't wait for you to meet Ezra and the cupid who is set on stealing her heart.

To stay in the know for future works be sure to follow me on my socials (@shewriteswithknives) or sign up for my Newsletter through my website (www.authorallisonpaige.com).

Thank you and happy reading!

[Feriel B · Rating 2 out of 5]

How is this a fantasy book when most of Ezra's pov is thinking about, thirsting over and whinning over Valen.

"Oh he wants me, oh he hates me, oh he's with someone else". GIRL PICK YOURSELF UP

i feel like the only time we got to read about the fantasy aspect of the plot was when it was the other character's povs
Im sorry but this was Valen's book not Ezra's . The focus was mainly on his story with bishop, the fall and the other angels, Ezra was just there for drama

This is also promoted as female rage except all this girl did was whine and cry, the only time she got angry was at Valen and for Valen which is definitely not female rage

Another thing that was SOOO uncessary was the amount of times the characters witnessed other people having sex. Someone(s) was always having sex at all times there was always an orgy somewhere happening.
WHY do i need to read a 2 pages scene about Ezra witnessing 2 men and a woman having sex ? Or a thorough description of someone making out and foreplay ?

[Katie Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

1000000000/10 would recommend! This was far better than I even expected. The story was well written, original, the characters were interesting, and I was sucked in from chapter 1. I did not want to put this book down! Everything I never knew I needed in a romantasy was in this story. There is very well written spicy scenes throughout the book, but it did not take away from the actual story and they are not long drawn out scenes either! *Be sure to check the trigger warnings* I was very happy with the whole book. Also, for those who love to be surprised, this book was very unpredictable and had so many unexpected twists!!! I am dying to know what happens next and I will be biting my nails waiting for book 2. I cannot say enough about this book and I will definitely make sure to tell everyone I can about it.

Allison Paige, thank you for letting me be one of your ARC readers, I am so glad that I did not miss out on this amazing story!!!

[Nicol | Read With Me Sis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Allison. What gives you the right????

I’m so beyond shook with how much I loved this book. I will say I was a little hesitant to read a fantasy based off of religion being a non religious girlie myself but WOWWWW. This one had me flipping pages yall.

This whole book I had no idea who to trust as every freaking character is a villain and honestly that made it 10xs better. So different from any fantasy I have read recently with the heaven vs hell, angels vs fallen angel (demons). Not your typical fantasy world.

This book was a ROLLERCOASTER in the best way. Ezra and Valen are going to live rent free in my head forever.

I’m giving this a 4.5 star only because the first 15-20% of the book I was a little lost because of all the different terminology used that I had to keep referencing the glossary for. This isnt a bad thing per se because it gives the world more depth but I just had to do some rereading to understand what was happening a few times. Overall I ATE THIS UP and will be crying until book two comes out.

[Deandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

☀️ARC Review🌑

Everyone loves a good feminine rage story!

In this captivating tale, Allison has crafted a world that is nothing short of breathtaking! Her attention to detail in world-building is Remarkable, allowing readers to lose themselves in a universe that feels as real and raw as our own. Character development was phenomenal and Fans of Allison's previous series will be delighted to see familiar faces making appearances throughout the story. It's like meeting old friends in a new setting!

Allison's dedication to her craft is evident on every page. You can feel the heart and soul she has poured into this book, the intricate details woven into this story will keep you entranced until the very end! This book is a testament to her skill as a storyteller and i am so excited to continue this story!

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly, the best book I’ve ever read. Wow wow wow.

I’ve never finished a book before and sat in total awe of an author and how magical their brain must be to write something like that.

This book is action from the 2nd or 3rd page, I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. Not to mention how intricately this book was built, the realms, the characters species (if that’s even the right word), the whole world building blew me away. The plot, the PLOT!!!

I can usually predict a book, I can always figure out what’s gonna happen in the next chapter or at the end. But this book… HA, never.

I can’t recommend this book enough, if you haven’t read it already, make this your next read!!

There is 🌶️ in it but the story is SO MUCH MORE.

Now, if you’ll excuse me. I will be in mourning for the foreseeable, mourning that I can never read this book for the first time ever again. Good day.

[Kaitlyn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Apostasy was dark, twisted, and action packed. I loved how Ezra and the fallen struggled with their beliefs and reality at each new turn. The relationships between the cyn and their history kept me on my toes. I do wish Ezra’s rage was fueled less by jealous and love. Overall her development was relatable despite her circumstances and I’m excited to see it continue as the series progresses.

This book was SPICY. I knew what I was getting into but definitely read the trigger warnings before starting. This book is not for everyone and I appreciate author’s including them so much!

This book was my first dip into Dark Romance/Fantasy and I’m hooked. The world Allison Paige created sucked me in. I was lucky enough to get an ARC and honestly didn’t know about the Revelation series until it was recommended at the end by Kindle. I can’t wait to see where it takes me.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so beautifully written. Allison’s writing is so descriptive. It’s like I can see and smell everything like if I’m truly in the moment with the characters the world building was well written and conveyed, and the characters were also beautifully written and described. You both equally love and hate those evil little babies

And that ending. OMG I need the next book already and this one isn’t even published yet.
There were so many sweet, tender moments and so many intense ones that had me gripped and turning the pages

If you like dark fantasy, angels, and demons, this book is for you

[Shelbi Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I snapped the book shut and tossed it to the side. Males were the same in every universe: sexist and obtuse." ...You're not wrong Ezra! LOL! There were many quotes/thoughts similar to this throughout which made my day.

I was fortunate to be an ARC reader for The Apostasy and it was such an entertaining read! The world-building was dark, vivid, and grotesque, with angels, demons, cyns, and religious themes that kept me hooked. The spice was SPICY and I ate it up.

Ezra was an incredible FMC—moral, strong, and unapologetically fierce. I loved her perspective. Valen, the MMC, was precious despite being morally dark grey. I was fairly angry with him during part of the story, but his behavior was later explained so I loved him all the same.

1000% would recommend The Apostasy to fans of dark fantasy romance. It’s got a strong FMC, great world-building, and plenty of action and spice—just be ready for the ending!

[Landon Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to begin!!!!!! I could not have read a better book to start out the year. This story is filled with every emotion possible. I found myself in a whole different world. You won’t want to put this book down. You will find yourself constantly wanting more. Around every twist and turn, thinking you understand something else changes, a new emotion unfolds, a new, fire burns, a new enemy appears and a new ally found! This is truly a work of pure art! Allison Paige knows how to make you feel and see everything she writes about. Let this be your answer… if you aren’t sure, if you can’t decide to try her book! This the answer!! YESSSS! It’s phenomenal!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH....... MY....... ASHES!!! I could not put this book down. I devoured it in 3 days. It has been a long time since I've read a book that literally left me sleep deprived for days because I could not stop reading. I loved everything about this story. What I loved even more was that it didn't follow the traditional happy ending plot. The love and brutality that shone through in this story was enough to leave me aching for more, and I can only hope this story continues. A masterpiece. Truly. Read it.

[Christine Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite book by this author so far! I loved it!

This is the prequal to the Revelation series, but I honestly don't think you even need to read the main series first to understand this. But I do recommend reading it at some point! This book was THICK but worth every page. Ezra resonated a lot with me with her struggle with her beliefs. I loved Ezra and Valen, the side characters were also all well rounded and fleshed out.

It was also very interesting seeing how Raum was in this book.

- Demons/Fallen Angels
- Morally Grey Characters
- Biblical Themes

[Zarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

YOU HAVE TO READ THE APOSTASY!!!!

OMG I was absolutely enthralled by this book!!!

The apostasy is a prequel to her other books, and Holy crap am I obsessed now!! The ending will rip your heart out, I could not put this book down!! She may be thick but I read it so fast!

The characters were done so perfect, I absolutely loved some, wanted to kill others while being torn apart by wanting to hate some but still conflicted by liking them, then wanting to kill them again.... ya... it was good.. it's also kinda a romantic tragedy..

YOU. HAVE. TO. READ. THIS.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the type of book that once you start reading you don’t want to stop, that you continue to think about when you are forced to stop, and the type that you put everything else down just so that you can go back to reading. This is the first book I read by Allison Paige and cannot wait to read more. Angels, demons, betrayal, and a fierce FMC….this book has them all.

[Hannah Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this without reading 'The Revelation' series and went in completely blind.
I was blown away by the richness of the worldbuilding, characterisation and the romance that was included!
The worldbuilding was easy to follow and the plot was intriguing throughout - will definitely be reading more books from this author!

[Sam Manucy (chsbibliophile) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A richly dark and imaginative take on true enemies to lovers, Allison Paige weaves an engaging tale that portrays a fresh take on the battles between heaven and hell, good and evil, and the grey areas in between. The Apostasy follows a young woman thrown into the struggles between angels and demons, and trying to retain her faith while coming to terms with the power and heritage of her blood. This is a dark fantasy romance, so definitely check the TW's. I really enjoyed the world building and the tension between the characters and how they grew throughout the story. Paige also wrote some of the most jaw-dropping twists l've read to date and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book (but l'm also a little scared for our MC's).